I have been a country music fan for a significant amount of time now, and Alan Jackson’s song ‘Chattahoochee’ has long been a favorite.  So much so, that on my first visit to Georgia in April, when I realized I was crossing over the fabled river, I was nearly bouncing out of my seat.  For those who don’t know, Gainesville, GA is on a lake – Lake (Sidney) Lanier, which was created in the 1950’s by damming a part of the Chattahoochee.  In order to get to the AIM offices, I have to cross over the Chattahoochee River. 

Alan Jackson sings “Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, never knew how much that muddy water meant to me.  But I learned how to swim and I learned who I was, a lot about living and a little ‘bout love.” 

 

Today, I am starting my trek north, back to Squam Lake, back to The Common Man, back to my parents and grandparents, and back to people whose friendships I measure in decades.  I will be going back to quiet evenings bubbling around the lake with my parents in their antique boat.  Back to kayaking around the cove in the afternoon and then hiking up Rattlesnake Mountain to catch the sunset.  Back to my church with its bright white walls that the sunshine and shadows dance upon every Sunday while Judith preaches and the choir sings.  Back to The Little Church Theater and Walter’s Basin, Larry the Postmaster and the Holderness General Store.  Back to my quintessential small town life. 

But I am doing more than just going back to Holderness.  I am leaving Georgia.  And as I leave Georgia, I am leaving so much more than just a place I lived.  I am leaving a great roommate.  I am leaving a church that I have grown to love.  I am leaving amazing people in the AIM offices.  I am leaving great homemade dinners at Bandwater.  I am leaving amazing people who have surpassed friends and become family to me.  I am leaving the banks of the Chattahoochee River, and the Alan Jackson’s song has taken a whole new meaning to me.

Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, never knew how much that muddy water meant to me, but I learned how to swim and I learned who I was, a lot about living and a little ’bout love.